Bicycle Built for Two

"On your left," Jason called out as his legs kicked into overdrive.

Jason stood up from the seat and pedaled strongly, refusing to lose any speed as he headed up yet another hill. So far he'd made good time, and he wanted to keep up the pace. He passed his teammate, who also stood to pedal up the incline.

"Come on. Do you always have to show me up?" Drew asked between breaths.

"You'll be back in the lead soon enough." Jason completed the pass and continued to work his legs.

For Jason Karn this was his third year making the 290-plus mile trip by bicycle from Boston to New York City and his second year riding with Drew, Kyle, and Diane. They'd all been first-timers together, and now they rode as a team of four among 172 other riders raising money for an NYC AIDS charity. Jason felt good so far. According to the bike's odometer, he'd ridden 37.2 miles of today's 103.7 mile course. Yesterday the group went south from Boston, cut through a corner of Rhode Island, and ended up in Norwich, Connecticut. Day one had been great, catching up with some people he hadn't seen in a year, and meeting some new riders and crew as well.

The ride's opening ceremonies tugged on his emotions. Everyone had assembled in the chilly dawn to reflect on those who'd been lost to the disease and vowing to continue the fight for a cure. Some of the riders created flags or signs or for their bikes so everyone would see who they rode for. Anytime he saw one of those during the day, it spurred him to continue.

Day two was Jason's favorite of the three-day ride. The hills were arduous, featuring one incline that forced many riders to dismount and walk up because of the steep grade. Jason walked that hill his first year and beat himself up for failing to make it. That night at dinner, the course designer shared that the route mimicked the life of a person living with HIV/AIDS—stretches of normal life, or flat road, that could get extremely difficult very fast. Since then Jason refused to let his performance frustrate him. He merely trained harder to prepare for it and if he failed a portion, he accepted it much better. Having survived the big climb for the day, Jason settled in for the next five to six hours of riding. It would be hilly all day, but the worst of it was over. Unlike the pouring rain of last year, the weather forecast called for a perfect late September day in rural coastal Connecticut. The air was cool with a slight breeze, the clear sky allowed for vivid sun. Best of all, the trees featured fantastic bursts of color. Between the scenery and so many supportive, loving people, Jason's mood couldn't be better.

"Come on, push those legs. I'm coming for you two next." Jason continued to stand and push to pass Kyle and Diane on the hill.

"You know you don't want me to do that." Kyle added speed, increasing his distance. Diane grunted as she pushed to keep Jason from passing.

"Almost there." Jason spurred himself on even as he breathed harder.

Ahead of them, two riders crested the summit. His legs burned as the incline got steeper just before its apex.

"Whew!" he shouted out as he rolled over the top and gravity kicked in. He sat down and allowed the bike to take off. He loved the wind rushing past him, moving the hairs on his arms and legs. The breeze blowing through the vents on his helmet felt great too.

"On your left." As expected, Drew made his move. He liked to pedal down the hills, whereas Jason was content to coast to allow his burning legs a moment to recover.

"Go right ahead." Jason waved as Drew shot by.

A dozen or so bikers spread out ahead of Jason. The ones farthest ahead ascended another, smaller hill. Meanwhile, a biker on the side of the road changed a flat. That sucked. Jason had had his share of flats over the years, and roadside repairs were not fun. As he got near the sidelined rider, Jason slowed.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," the guy said, "just slow going." He kneeled on the ground, working to free the tire from the wheel. He paused and gave a thumbs-up, the required sign to show he was okay.

"All right, man. See you down the road." Jason sped up and changed gears to catch up to his friends.

"Ah, fuck!"

That didn't sound good. Jason looked behind and saw he had room to turn around safely. He watched as the rider stood and kicked the wheel he'd worked on.

"What happened?" Jason asked as he came to a stop.

"I broke the damn lever." He held up broken pieces of plastic. "The tire wasn't budging, and I guess I forced it too hard." The poor guy looked frazzled.

Jason dismounted his bike and laid it down gently next to the upturned, tireless bike. At least they were in a good spot, out of traffic. A nearby log would be perfect to sit on while doing the repair. Multi-colored leaves covered the ground. Under different circumstances, it would have been a delightful spot for a picnic.

"It's okay. I've got levers and we'll get this fixed."

"The tire is so tight." He gestured again with the broken tools. "I'm not sure these can get it off."

This guy, rider number 114 according to the bike's placard, must be a newbie at changing tires. Tires could always be loosened. You just needed patience.

"I've changed a lot of tires," Jason said as he got tools out of his seat pouch. "And if I can't do it, there's always the sweeper van for a ride to the bike techs."

"True. Although I really don't want to have to get in a van."

Jason picked up wheel, took it to the log and sat down. Gently, he worked the plastic tools in between the tire and the rim. He alternated between pushing with his fingers and flexing the levers so the tire would release.

"New tires, huh?"

"Pretty new, yeah. The first flat this bike has had. I bought it a few months ago."

Jason looked at Rider 114's bike as he worked. He'd done enough tire changes that he could multi-task. The bike was a good road bike, near the top of the line and comparable to his own.

"I'm Ben, by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Jason."

"Hey, J-man, everything okay?" Rodney, a rider Jason had met last year, checked on them as he approached.

"Yeah, just helping out here. We're good."

Jason saw Ben give the thumbs-up.

"The people are really incredible. Everyone's so helpful. I've never seen anything like it."

"It is an amazing group." Jason got one lever to slide around the rim as the tire loosened. "There we go. Progress."

"Fantastic." Ben kneeled at the bike and pulled a new tube from the seat pouch.

"This your first time doing the ride?"

"That obvious, huh?"

"Well, I didn't recognize you, but you could've been someone back from a few years off."

Ben gave the thumbs-up as another group of riders passed by, several of them saying hello to Jason as they went.

"Nope. This is a first," Ben reaffirmed. "The course is kicking my ass, but I have to admit I'm enjoying it. Everyone I talk to on the road is supportive, fun to be around. I rode for a while yesterday next to a guy with an iPod blasting from his handlebars. It was a rolling dance party and a great motivator to keep pace to stay near the music."

"Yeah. I like hanging with music people too." Jason removed the tire from the wheel. He held it up in victory. "There you go."

"Do you mind if I take it from here? It's good practice."

"Sure." Jason stood and handed everything over.

Ben sat back on the log to work. Jason watched, ready to offer advice, but Ben did fine as he reached in and pulled out the punctured tube.

Jason couldn't help but check out Ben. He'd already noted that he was tall, probably around six-one or six-two. The combination of broad shoulders, muscular chest, and sturdy legs ticked a lot of boxes for Jason. The way Ben filled out the cycling jersey and shorts made it clear the guy worked out. Ben's red hair glistened in the sun. It was even a little spiky, despite being under a helmet most of the day. He also had light reddish hairs covering his legs and arms, which made Jason want to see if the guy's chest was hairy too.

Ben had so much of his attention that Jason failed to pay attention to the road and the oncoming riders. A couple of riders slowed down.

"You guys okay?" one asked as they came to a near stop.

"Yes, sorry." Jason gave the thumbs-up.

"Okay, almost done." Ben held up his work proudly. "Let's see if I can actually get this put back together."

Ben had put the new tube in and partially inflated it, making sure it tucked inside the tire correctly. Jason picked up the defective tube and studied it.

"I found the puncture. It's to the left of the stem. Did you find anything damage on the tire?"

Ben looked at that area. "Nope, no punctures visible. I didn't feel anything inside either."

"Oh well, sometimes these things just happen."

"Yup. It's all good. I got to meet you, after all." Ben smiled up at him, a brighter smile than the one he got when he first stopped.

Jason noticed the fine stubble on his face, similar to what most of the riders had on day two. He also caught a look at vivid green eyes, which the sun hit just right.

From his jersey pocket, Jason's phone vibrated. He reached around, pulled it out, and removed it from the zip-top bag.

Drew texted: We're in at the rest stop. Do you need us to come back for you?

Jason replied: Nah. All good. Just helping someone with a flat. How long do I have before closing time?

He held the phone, waiting for the response.

"Everything okay?" Ben got the tire back on the wheel and started to inflate it with his hand pump.

"Yeah, just my teammates checking in."

"Sorry. I didn't mean for you to get separated."

"Not a problem." The phone vibrated with the reply.

Drew: About forty minutes until they'll kick us out and you're not that far away. We'll hang here and wait.

He typed quickly: Perfect. I'll see you soon.

"We'll catch up at the next rest stop." Jason looked to Ben. "It's less than four miles, so there's time to get there."

"You can go if you want. I'll be fine. It's easy from here."

Little beads of sweat broke out on Ben's forehead, caused by the effort of working the small hand pump. They were damn sexy, and Jason's thoughts turned to how the rest of Ben would look covered in fine beads of sweat.

"Really, it's good," Ben said, as if he could see Jason weighing the pros and cons of leaving him there.

"If you're sure."

"I am. I'll buy you a tall, cold glass of water tonight."

Jason laughed. No alcohol was allowed during the ride, so he appreciated the humor of of the offer. "I look forward to it. I'll see you later then."

Ben handed Jason his tools, which Jason stowed in his jersey pocket along with the phone.

"Thanks for the help, Jay."

"You're welcome." Jason picked up his bike. As he rode away, he stood to crank up the speed and make up the distance between himself and his team.